Category: Infrastructure

Construction, Infrastructure April 13, 2024

PBOT Work Progresses on NE 72nd Dr

On Friday, April 12th, cement masons formed more raised concrete traffic separators on NE 72nd Drive at the Rose City Golf Course. Last month, crews installed a new heavy-gauge steel single-lane gate made by Mechanical Design Inc. This hardened infrastructure prevents northbound automotive travel on this street, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to use that lane away from motorists. It replaces concrete jersey barriers temporarily installed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) after the unauthorized removal of other traffic diversion infrastructure.

*_{Looking south, new traffic separators extend all the way to NE Tillamook Street}*

Landowners often use the Forest Sentry gate in remote locations where restricting unauthorized vehicle access is necessary for safety. Its one-piece design and solid construction resist sag or damage by extending its structure under the roadway. Golf course maintenance vehicles still need northbound access to this road, and a reliable gate is an essential part of this road reconfiguration. A recently built multi-use path leads from NE Tillamook Street to the north side of the gate, allowing cyclists and pedestrians access. The 600 feet of concrete traffic separators discourage vehicles from driving around the gate by heading in the wrong direction using the southbound lane.

These updates are part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project, nearing completion. NE 72nd Drive is a narrow street that challenges modern two-way traffic in segments due to tree placement and embankments. Removing one lane of travel allows for continued multimodal use. However, some area residents oppose this closure as it adds a 1.3-mile detour for northbound drivers to navigate around the golf course. Cyclists traveling north should note that the new traffic separators also make it difficult to safely ride around the gate from the roadway. They should instead use the multi-use path until past the gate. Southbound users can continue to use the street unobstructed.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Infrastructure April 10, 2024April 25, 2024

NE Halsey Lane Reconfiguration Underway

On April 8th, road painting crews begin work to reconfigure NE Halsey Street between 68th and 81st Avenues. Truck-mounted equipment scrubbed the existing travel lane markings from asphalt while workers affixed temporary plastic reflectors to the removed paint’s location so drivers could continue to use the street. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) expects the contractor to return within a few days to restripe the street in a new configuration. Drivers will lose one travel lane in each direction between NE 68th and 81st Avenues but gain a center turn lane, aiding in safer left turns. Cyclists will receive bike lanes on both sides of NE Halsey Street from NE 68th 81st Avenues.

*_{Construction drawing of NE Halsey Street and 76th Ave,}*_{Illustrations courtesy PBOT}

PBOT representative Hannah Schafer explained that their pavement marking contractor is waiting for dry weather to restripe the street. Earlier this year, project managers delayed work on a 70s Neighborhood Greenway-related improvement that will create protected crossings at NE 76th Avenue and Halsey Street. Two pedestrian refuge islands and a small raised concrete median on NE Halsey Street will reside in the center turn lane at this intersection. However, cement masons could not begin that work until crews created a center lane by reducing the travel lanes. Crossing improvement work can occur after the contractor completes the street marking work.

*_{Crosswalk closed at NE 76th Avenue and Halsey Street, directing people to the two others that will have protective islands}*

Residents challenged by the current conditions on this dangerous roadway have advocated for improvements for nearly a decade. Its old four travel lane configuration drops to two lanes west of NE 71st Avenue and east of NE 81st Avenue, creating an odd section of greater vehicle capacity that induces speeding. Reduced travel lanes and better crossings are just some of the updates aimed at making this a safer stretch of road. A new mini roundabout, flashing beacons, and high visibility crosswalk markings will help people cross the street in this area with reduced worry that a driver will not see them.

*_{NE 76th Avenue and Halsey Street crossing that will have a protective pedestrian island}*

Drivers on NE Halsey Street should expect construction delays as crews paint the asphalt over the next few days and workers begin constructing the in-road safety infrastructure. Pedestrians and cyclists should use extreme caution around incomplete safety improvements and note that traffic pattern changes could distract motorists.

Update: On April 11th, crews with Hicks Striping & Curbing returned to NE Halsey to paint the streets with a new lane configuration and add marked crossings at NE 76th Avenue.

Update: Soon after crews restriped the roadway, cement masons returned to install two pedestrian refuge islands and a small raised concrete median on NE Halsey Street at NE 76th Avenue.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Construction, Infrastructure April 5, 2024

Post Construction Gateway Green Improvements

Starting in early April, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will begin restoration and enhancement work at the Gateway Green Park. Construction crews working on the MAX Red Line expansion closed a southern portion of the off-road cycling and outdoor recreation area in September 2021. The now completed TriMet transit bridge and track placement required significant earth-moving work, creating the opportunity to completely rebuild this section of the park and create an accessible entrance that should attract new park users.

*_{Pedestrian and bike access from the Gateway Transit Center}*

Crews will work through autumn 2024, creating park amenities and reconnecting existing trails. Improved access starts with a pedestrian and bike access bridge from the Gateway Transit Center, leading to a new entry plaza with benches and way-finding signage. The new bridge, shared with southbound trains, allows parkgoers direct access from transit and parking. However, the path’s width also allows emergency vehicles to drive into the remote park. The plaza will connect to an existing path through the park with no more than 5% grade, allowing young riders and other people easy access through the otherwise steep terrain. Mountain bikers will also receive an additional 1,000 linear feet of new bike trails that utilize the condors of the hill.

*_{New MAX Red Line Platform at the Gateway Transit Center}*

The Gateway Green project began in 2016 with a vision of dedicated hiking and off-road cycling pathways. It now features a diversity of trails and pump tracks. This current work improves access and amenities while restoring the natural oak tree habitat. After years of rail construction on this site, landscapers and arborists will have to creatively reintegrate this land back into the park.

Gateway Green Park is isolated from the neighborhoods by the Interstate-84 and Interstate-205 interchange. Before these updates, people could only access the park from the I-205 Multi-Use Path. This isolation made it hard to discover, leading to limited usage. With the southern entrance at Gateway Transit Center, a new group of park users can walk into this large wooded area and use it for a range of unexplored activities.

*_{Rendering curtesy of TriMet, subject to change}*

PP&R plans to host a grand opening celebration on October 5, 2024, coinciding with the annual Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. Funds collected from developers to expand park capacity provided $308,000 towards this project. Commissioner Dan Ryan directed PP&R to use the restricted Park System Development Charges for this project, avoiding using General Fund tax dollars. This funding method ensures that Portlanders continue to have convenient access to green space as the city grows without burdening the already stretched Parks budget. The northern sections of Gateway Green Park remain open during construction.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Crime, Infrastructure April 3, 2024

Mt. Tabor Path Officially Opens

On April 1st, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) officially opened a new paved bike path and pedestrian accessway leading to Mt. Tabor Park from SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street. Many parkgoers received a preview of the accessway during the weekend of March 23rd before crews reinstalled temporary fences for the week of March 25th. The April sunny weather attracted numerous residents of the adjacent Courtyard at Mount Tabor Senior Living Community to experience the new park amenity alongside people from all over the area who appreciated the new pathway.

*_{New “Bikes Use X-walk” sign at SE 64th and SE Division near enhanced crossing}*

The late March temporary opening provided contractors unobstructed access to the multiuse pathway while installing the finishing touches for this project. Workers added new bollards to keep motorized vehicles off the pedestrian and bicycle route during that period. Crews also installed a “bikes use x-walk” sign at SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street near a new enhanced crosswalk with high-visibility markings and a temporary pedestrian island. One contractor added metal skate stops to the concrete benches to dissuade people from skateboarding along the smooth edge. PP&R Public Information Officer Mark Ross explained that these devices are part of many projects where skateboarding could interfere with the intended use of park amenities. “The skate stops were part of the base scope of work the contractor needed to complete prior to opening the path to the public. This is a standard item installed at parks across the City.”

*_{skate stops installed on northernmost bench}*

A recent indecent report on social media illustrated, in part, an argument for skate stops where site managers prohibit that use. Based on the site’s progress shown in the post’s picture, the purported incident occurred weeks before the site opened while it was fenced off. The illustrated image shows a skater performing a slide or grind trick on the northernmost concrete bench before contractors installed the preventative metal bumps. The unconfirmed description of the conflict described an unreasonable level of hostility towards the skaters from an area resident. Although PP&R uses anti-skating devices, the Bureau supports skateboarding activities in designated areas. Within two years, Berrydale Park will host a new skatepark less than two miles from this path. PP&R will also create a partially covered skateboarding facility 1.5 miles south of Mt. Tabor Park at Creston Park. The Parks Department lists eight parks that have skateboarding areas. However, Mt. Tabor Park is not on that list, and skaters have few public options in the area until PP&R creates the new skateparks.

*_{Extra bollards added to path entrance to prevent unauthorized vehicle access}*

With the new pathway open and complete, people can reliably access Mt. Tabor Park from SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street. Crews are still working on other improvements to the PP&R Maintenance Yard property, creating a modern facility to support the network of public green spaces. Park architects designed the fully illuminated walkway for users of all abilities, providing continual access to the park through a direct path while creating several places along its length where people can enjoy a landscaped view away from traffic.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Infrastructure March 25, 2024January 19, 2025

New Name for the Same Gravel Streets

On March 20th, the Portland City Council approved minor code updates to change a term the City uses for streets the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) is not obligated to maintain. Formally called unimproved, the amended City code in Chapter 17.42 now calls these streets nonmaintained. The City of Portland’s policy is that abutting property owners maintain streets until street improvements bring them up to PBOT standards and the City accepts the street for maintenance. This policy has left many streets in poor condition, with only a center strip of asphalt or a full-width gravel street full of holes. In most cases, these streets also lack the required sidewalks and curbs.

Portland has an interactive map showing pavement maintenance responsibility where residents and developers can check a property’s frontage for added road maintenance obligations. According to Portland’s Property Owner Maintenance Code, it is “the exclusive duty of the abutting property owners to construct, reconstruct, repair and maintain nonmaintained street in a condition reasonably safe for the uses that are made of the street and adjoining properties.” This policy puts a financial cost and liability on the homeowners and, in some cases, limits development rights that require a property to have frontage on a street maintained by the City of Portland or the State of Oregon.

There are several ways a street can become the City’s responsibility. A developer can improve the roadway to minimum PBOT standards to be accepted. However, in most cases, the improvement must extend an entire block from intersection to intersection before Portland will begin maintaining it. Property owners on a nonmaintained street can form a Local Improvement District (LID) with the City. That cooperative method requires people to pay for their portion of repairs. The City bureaus often contribute to the project funding and replace or service underground utilities as part of the project. The SE 80th Ave and Mill Street LID is an example of such a project. On some rare occasions, Portland will reconstruct a street as part of a larger mobility project. Recently, that occurred on NE Everett Street from NE 76th Avenue to NE 78th Avenue. The replacement of that unimproved gravel road is part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project that is nearing completion.

People living on unpaved roads are not entirely left without support from the City. In 2018, PBOT started the Gravel Street Service to repair Portland’s over 50 miles of nonmaintained gravel streets. That program is on a three-year cycle, with crews focusing on different sections of the City each year. Aside from that program, property owners on nonmaintained streets must pay to keep their roads usable. This code change does nothing more than clarify wording, making it unmistakable that the City is not responsible for these streets’ upkeep.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

Infrastructure March 22, 2024March 22, 2024

Gate Replaces Barrier on NE 72nd Dr

On Friday, March 22nd, crews installed a new heavy-gauge steel gate on NE 72nd Drive. This new single-lane gate will prevent northbound automotive travel through the Rose City Golf Course. It replaces concrete jersey barriers installed by the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) after the unauthorized removal of other traffic diversion infrastructure.

*_{Now removed concrete jersey barriers}*

In this new configuration, cyclists and pedestrians will share a recently built multi-use path that leads from NE Tillamook Street to just north of the golf course parking lot. These updates are part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project, which is nearing completion. Drivers will again be able to use a portion of NE 72nd Drive to access the parking lot, but the closed gate will prevent them from driving further north. Southbound drivers can continue to use the street unobstructed.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Infrastructure March 20, 2024March 20, 2024

A New Path to Mt Tabor Park

This April, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) will open a new bike path and multiuse trail leading to Mt. Tabor Park from SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street. This well-lit and wide paved path borders the western edge of PP&R’s new maintenance shop. The 500-foot walkway significantly reduces the walking distance for people living near SE Division when visiting the park. It connects users to a freshly resurfaced segment of SE 64th Avenue that has a paved sidewalk on its eastern edge.

In 2021, crews began construction on the PP&R Maintenance Yard property, initially designed as horse stables in the early 1900s. Over the years, crews modernized the central maintenance facility at Mt. Tabor Park with new buildings, offices, greenhouses, and storage areas. The improvements implemented plans from 2008 through funding that included the 2014 Parks Replacement Bond and System Development Charges. The Mt. Tabor Yard is the primary dispatch point for PP&R maintenance and nursery services across Portland, with over 160 maintenance employees working from this location. The street improvements and pathway are minor compared to the overall project, but park visitors will immediately recognize the benefits of the new access point. Private property along SE Division Street blocks most entrances to Mt. Tabor Park, making this pathway significant for people not driving to the natural area.

The new pathway is lined with lampposts, mimicking the classic design seen throughout Mt. Tabor Park and other PP&R properties of a similar age. Midway along the path, a metal bridge crosses over a large bio-swale area used for stormwater management. Several seating areas allow people to wait for members of their party to arrive or take a peaceful rest away from the busy street. Landscaping features many trees and natural ground cover that will help absorb rainwater that tends to follow this path down the mountain.

PP&R expects to open the bike path and multiuse trail to the public around April 1st, 2024. Officials will plan a community celebration later this year when crews complete the Mt. Tabor Maintenance Yard project. The new facilities should help the parks bureau staff work more efficiently, and the improved storage space will protect the city’s equipment investments. Starting in April, residents can glance east while walking along SE 64th Avenue and see the PP&R maintenance and horticultural services staff working to keep Portland’s green spaces accessible.

*^{Stone inscribed message at the SE 64th Avenue and SE Division Street pathway entrance}*

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Infrastructure March 19, 2024

Your Seat Sponsored by Intersection

In early March 2024, Intersection maintenance crews replaced the eastbound TriMet 19 bus stop bench at NE Glisan and 78th Avenue. A July 2023 car crash demolished the previous seating that serves double duty as an advertising platform. Transit riders will enjoy having seating again as this stop which serves two adjacent churches and sees steady use.

Original article published December 18th, 2023

Since July, eastbound TriMet 19 bus line riders have needed to stand while waiting at NE Glisan and 78th Avenue. A car crash at the southwest corner mangled the blue transit bench and damaged the bus stop signpost. TriMet crews promptly repaired their equipment, but an advertising partner, Intersection, owns the seating at this stop. Maintenance crews with that company have recently removed the broken bench and plan to replace it soon.

Intersection’s exclusive partnerships with TriMet expose their ads to riders and people within eyesight of a bus, MAX, or Streetcar. Advertising revenue from relationships like this generates over $3 million for the transit service and provides seating for some passengers waiting to board their bus. Stop-shelters with integrated seating are paid for and maintained by TriMet. However, not every stop has a shelter. Instead, some of those uncovered locations benefit from Intersection benches with advertisements placed on the backrests.

TriMet representatives said they placed a work order with Intersection shortly after the July crash. However, repairs did not occur until TriMet again contacted the company, seeking an update on the delayed repair. Intersection crews are often timely with maintenance, quickly replacing similarly damaged blue benches. A May 2022 car crash into the McDonald’s restaurant at 8149 SE Stark Street decimated the advertising-backed seating at the adjacent bus stop. Intersection repair crews replaced that unit within a month.

The delay in bench repair likely comes down to miscommunication between the transit agency and its advertising partner. People should expect to see a new bench at the NE Glisan and 78th Avenue bus stop soon, and riders leaning back on an advertisement can know it helps sponsor their seat.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Infrastructure March 16, 2024

PBOT Grows Serious About Safety on NE Glisan

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) recently received State approval to lower speed limits from 30 to 25 mph on NE Glisan Street between NE 57th and 82nd Avenues. These lower speeds, combined with funded intersection improvements at NE 80th and 82nd Avenues and unfunded enhanced crossings planned to the west, create a concerted effort to improve walkability. With NE Glisan Street’s speed limit already 25 mph west of NE 57th Avenue, this change provides a consistent traffic flow along the growing Neighborhood Main Street.

PBOT revealed the planned speed change at the March 12th Vestal School PTA meeting to an overwhelmingly supportive crowd. PBOT representative Dylan Rivera said in a subsequent communication that crews will replace the current speed limit signs within the next few months, and new speed restrictions will take effect when posted. Lower speeds can help people avoid crashes by giving drivers more reaction time, and research shows that it can reduce injury if a collision occurs. “Small changes in speed can have big impacts in making our streets safer. As people travel faster, the risk of death or serious injury rises dramatically,” explained Rivera.

Lowering the speed limit is only one part of improving pedestrian safety, particularly when some drivers regularly exceed the current 30 mph speed limit. To help people cross and encourage appropriate speeds, PBOT intends to install more pedestrian refuge islands with curb extensions that visually narrow the roadway. These inroad elements also encourage more thoughtful turning by shortening the turning radius. They also plan to add marked high-visibility crosswalks, cautioning motorists to yield to pedestrians. The City needs additional money for enhanced crossings west of NE 74th Avenue, but PBOT is committed to seeking funding for those projects.

*_{Draft design image for NE Glisan at 80th Ave. Similar crossings possible along NE Glisan. Courtesy PBOT}*

Speed limit changes are not arbitrary, and PBOT required approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to make these changes. A 2022 state law allows Oregon cities to apply for the authority to designate speed limits on roads they maintain. However, those municipalities must designate an engineer to oversee the process, and Rivera explained that ODOT currently controls most of Portland’s speed limits.

Drivers should anticipate seeing the new 25 mph signs on NE Glisan west of NE 82nd Avenue within the coming months. Portland Police will know about the change, and the bureau may deploy its Photo Enforcement van to the area as it often does on SE Stark Street, where the speed limit lowers to 20 mph. Pedestrians and cyclists may see progress on the NE 80th Avenue crossing begin in the latter half of 2024. Look for more news about NE Glisan crossings as funding sources become available.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Community, Infrastructure March 13, 2024March 13, 2024

City Planted Street Trees Take Root in Montavilla

This winter, contractors working for Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division began planting new street trees throughout Montavilla. The Free Street Tree Planting Program is part of the City’s urban tree canopy growth strategy, and it includes no-cost tree support for the first three years. Then, the trees become the adjacent property owner’s responsibility for upkeep and replacement. The initial program launched in seven priority neighborhoods last year with an extensive site survey of available planting spaces in the public right-of-way. From November 2023 through this March, crews will plant up to 1,100 street trees.

This program receives funding from Portland’s Tree Planting and Preservation Fund. People pay into the fund when they remove trees during development or other site work. Portland staff selected the East Columbia, Humboldt, Piedmont, Powellhurst-Gilbert, Woodlawn, Overlook, and Montavilla neighborhoods due to their high need for additional tree canopy. Contractors will plant all trees in the public right-of-way planting strip between the curb and sidewalk. In 2023, the City notified affected property owners first on September 15th and again on October 1st. They had until October 16th, 2023, to opt out of receiving a tree.

*_{Map showing trees planted by this program in green tree, locations coming by March 31st are in red. Courtesy of PP&R}*

Owning a street tree in Portland comes with the responsibility of caring for and replacing the tree under City Code 11.60.060.A.2.a. Costs to repair sidewalk damage due to tree roots also fall on property owners. For some Portlanders, the burden of street tree costs has kept them from adding new trees unless the City code requires it. However, many people recognize the urgent need for heat-reducing street trees, and this PP&R program makes participation easy. Arborists have found planting locations that avoid utility conflicts and selected low-maintenance tree cultivars that are drought tolerant. City-funded watering occurs for the three summers after planting to establish the tree. People who receive these new plantings will see watering and maintenance contractors tending the trees from May through October during the 2024, 2025, and 2026 years. After that time, the property owner must become responsible for the tree’s upkeep, particularly during hot and dry weather.

People can identify PP&R installed trees by its green and white card featuring the bureau’s logo. With so many new plantings, most residents will likely encounter these new trees while walking around the neighborhood. This program will expand to other neighborhoods after this initial launch based on areas outlined in the 2018 Growing a More Equitable Urban Forest strategy document. PP&R will have people in the neighborhood conducting tree inspections over the next few weeks after the planting crew completes their work. People with questions about a PP&R planted tree or other program inquiries can leave a message with program staff at 503-823-4025 or FreeTrees@portlandoregon.gov.

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